What the heck happened? The forum was impossible to access now it is okay?

[Kern Dog]

The last couple of days, the site has had something going on.
With as slow as the traffic is here, I thought that the site owner either sold the site or just let it die. I've been a member here for what...14 years? I remember it being a LOT more active when I joined.
I just tried to log on a few minutes ago and it popped right up.
I remember when I joined, there were some high dollar owners and a fair amount of budget based members. I'm disappointed to see that there are so few members posting about their projects, their road trips, car shows they have entered or any new products they have tried.
The 1970 Charger Registry site seems to have closed down. I really thought that the same thing was going on here.
Remember guys like Tufcat? Cooter? Invincible Extremes? Too Cheap To Smoke? BarfySpitz? Tan Top? Skip 68? Kominion? LukeDukem ? MoparStuart ? Krops Cars and numerous others?
Did those guys all pass away? The average age of the Charger owners seems like an unlikely group to join facebook and ignore this forum so what happened?
In 2014, I joined a new Challenger forum because the wife and I were looking to buy a new Challenger. Once we got the car, I didn't visit their site much but I have popped in a few times.
Is that what happened here? Have members sold their cars or just parked them after losing their passion for the hobby?
I've tried to stoke the fire here and I really encourage others to step it up. This forum has room for improvement. I wish that the moderators would chime in besides Charger Bodie. Has anyone read from HemiGeno or the Firefighter guy in the past year? That Chryco Psycho guy has been MIA for years but is still listed as a moderator. The site owner only seemed to come around during the arguments during Covid. I'd think that a guy that owns a Charger forum still has a Charger, right? With no ads, there is no revenue source from owning this site.
Come on, guys....let's breath some life back into this place!

[will]

I don't post very much right now. I answered the phone after I retired and now I'm working 12's. On the road so no car tinkering, but I'm finally getting paid what I think I'm worth. Hopefully I'll be out of here when this plant starts up.

[Kern Dog]

Part of what confuses me is that other forums seem to be doing well while this one struggles.
Some people like the fact that this is a model specific format. Dodge Chargers of the 66-74 era is all we do here. None of the front wheel drive stuff of the 80s, no LX based 4 door Chargers either. I like that this forum caters to this market. These cars are the #1 most recognizable TV/Movie car in history. Despite being outsold by the Mustang, these Chargers have appeared in more iconic TV shows and movies that any other model of car.
The Fast And Furious movie franchise sure drove the values up, especially the 1970 models.
Before 2001, the 1970 was often looked as a distant 3rd for desirability in the 1968, 1969 and 1970 second generation model segment. Nowadays, the 1970 models command prices often equal to the 1968s.
Did the outrageous spike in values motivate forum members to sell their cars and cash out? Has the forum suffered because people sold their cars and the buyers aren't interested in forums?
Has the rise in values made members less likely to modify their cars and because of it, NOT start topics here to discuss the changes that they are making?

[Charger-Bodie]

i think all the facebook groups have hurt this site the most. everyone want instant gratification. even if the answers they recieve are wrong.

[Kern Dog]

If that is true, you think the other Moderators went there too? I'd think that they would have felt more obligated to spend time here given their commitment.

[Charger-Bodie]

If that is true, you think the other Moderators went there too? I'd think that they would have felt more obligated to spend time here given their commitment.

i think the decline in traffic lead to atleast two of the moderators exiting.

[Kern Dog]

I can understand that if the site slowed down to where one or two people can handle the traffic but their names are still listed as Moderators.

[Nacho-RT74]

ChryCo Psycho moved to Costa Rica last time we talked.

Stuart is more less active at Fb (well since we follow each other is easy for to to track him)

About the slowing on the board is not exclusive to this. Moparts what is even more generic to ALL bodies and even trucks, with waaaay lot more members and with JUST ONE board generic section for technical stuff is going soooo slow than sometimes in two days doesn't even get a second page of new replies, when years ago you have to get up to the 3rd or 4th page to get updated on every new reply.

I think already have mentioned my thoughts on this:

-Projects finished
-life happens... ppl get sick, dies etc...)
-as mentioned, Facebook has made his job, being a multi use platform with no registration needed for multiple goals with same unique profile and easy access to multimedia, makes an pleasant transition but without filters for the wrong ppl and info as mentioned. Just getting the labor to register on a board and the NEED to enter intentionally to search for info/help keeps away the wrong guys and info on boards. It is what it is.
-the fashion for resto "hobby" allways gets ups and downs...


You can see even at TV... we get less shows dedicated to this than some years ago.

[Kern Dog]

Moparts died off partly because the Moderators and owner are complete assholes.
Seriously.
FBBO thrives. That is my go-to site. They are constantly adding members and the site traffic is fast.
Why?
Partly because an environment where the members don't feel like they are being messed with all the time sure inspires people to contribute. The staff at Moparts treated many members as they would a "servant" in 1860. There was no respect for whatever positive contributions a member makes, they would ban people without warning or without explanation. The majority of the demographic that own classic cars LEANS to one direction yet the Moparts staff leaned the opposite of that. Once a staff member noticed that you thought different than they did, you were a target and they did not play fair. It stifled growth and participation in discussions. Many were banned, others just thought it was a bullshit way of running a forum and they just stopped going there.
Think about this.....if a citizen in a country feels the heavy hand of the Police and Government always watching and waiting to crack down on you, the people often just withdraw and keep to themselves.
If a site allows freedom to the members to express themselves, (while only stepping in when things actually do start to go wrong) then they feel far more likely to express themselves, to share ideas and put themselves out there.

[Nacho-RT74]

Never have felt personally or noticed anything wrong at Moparts. So I can't support your thoughts about them. Not saying you are wrong, but just sharing my personal experience.

Maybe there is some language issue or difference about interpretations I can't notice and you of course are able to notice?  dunno, maybe

BTW, Skip68 and I think Tan Top have posted recently.

I have been around here since 2002 (at the old dodge charger board) and sure I miss a lot members more... but as I mentioned, life happens.

[NHCharger]

I agree with Charger-Bodie. I think FB has caused a lot of these car related sites to lose foot traffic. Also, I now read a lot more news on line from various sites trying to get the real news, not the biased news on TV/cable. That takes up a lot of my on line time. I try to limit my on line time to 90 minutes, so many times it's a week or more between visits to this site and FBBO.
Lately I have made an effort to visit this site more. it's because of this site I found and purchased my 68 and 69 Chargers.
also- I have made repeated attempts to contact Ron (firefighter3931). He has had several health issues, heart related I believe, and was out of work for a while. Have never heard back from him.

[Kern Dog]

When members just drop off the radar, the morbid side of me wonders if they just passed away. I hate to think that but in some cases, that is exactly what happens. Rarely do people announce their health problems online, we usually don't know how close some of us are to the end.

[John_Kunkel]

Moparts died off partly because the Moderators and owner are complete assholes.

Because they do their job and ban repeat offenders? Could it be your opinion is jaded?

[Kern Dog]

Maybe so but their traffic dropped off a LOT since I joined while The Joey Chicago sites have grown.
That speaks volumes.
Hey John, try to be constructive. THIS routine of yours isn't good for anyone.

[John_Kunkel]

Maybe so but their traffic dropped off a LOT since I joined while The Joey Chicago sites have grown.
That speaks volumes.

Maybe because they quickly deal with individuals who chase off members with their attacks.. How many times have YOU been disciplined there?

Hey John, try to be constructive. THIS routine of yours isn't good for anyone.

And who started THIS routine with his normal sniveling and whining about how unfairly he's been treated on other forums? You reap what you sow, your "movie star good looks" can't stave off destiny. 

[Kern Dog]

Still brimming with negativity. Try some Metamucil and take a nap or something.

[John_Kunkel]

Still brimming with negativity. Try some Metamucil and take a nap or something.

Negativity? You're the one who started this thread and your OP is brimming with negativity, doom and gloom.

Physician, heal thyself.

[b5blue]

Ah to be forever 12 years old and a spoiled little brat. 

[Kern Dog]

Still brimming with negativity. Try some Metamucil and take a nap or something.

Negativity? You're the one who started this thread and your OP is brimming with negativity, doom and gloom.

Physician, heal thyself.

When have you posted anything that has helped anyone or entertained a single person? Seriously, in the past year, when did you do anything that helped someone else?
This thread was about asking what happened to the forum including a rough patch that was happening just days prior to starting this thread. I mentioned that internet forums are not dead everywhere because that is true.
When was the last time you had a thread that ran more than 3 responses? Have you nothing at all to give to others?
It takes a topic that I start to drag you out of your coffin, only to be met with your usual "git off my lawn" rhetoric. Look at that and explain how you don't dwell on negativity while following me around.
Do you have anything to offer that relates to this topic other than an attack on another person?
I'm not the only one that sees this pattern, John. It is clear to those with open eyes.

[John_Kunkel]

When have you posted anything that has helped anyone or entertained a single person? Seriously, in the past year, when did you do anything that helped someone else?

I often respond to tech questions and feel I helped someone else with my reply.

Unlike you, I don't feel the need to turn this forum into a Facebook-esque platform to tell the world what I'm up to...IOW, hey look at me. Your how-to threads might be helpful/interesting to some but they're boring/mundane to some, including me.

[Kern Dog]

When you feel like posting something that may benefit someone, feel free to do so. I just have not seen anything positive form you in quite awhile.
There are some people that do look to forums for guidance on what works, what doesn't, what parts cost, the real "hands on" experiences that they can expect, etc. You only get that when someone dares to offend YOU by starting a thread to look at me as you seem to see it.
Face it....You'd complain if I came to I street and mowed your lawn for free. It is very much like other instances where no matter how good an idea is, certain people will hate it simply because of the person that thought of it.
We make fun of those people, John. Try to NOT be that guy. Be who you used to be, helpful and respected.

[John_Kunkel]

John. Try to NOT be that guy. Be who you used to be, helpful and respected.

Is it OK if I choose to ignore the advice of the guy who thinks he's God's gift to the Mopar world?

Concentrate on maintaining your "movie star good looks" and leave the life advice to Dear Abby

[Kern Dog]

I'm not wrong. What I've stated here is good advice. Set aside your bias and read the words as if your own Father were to have said them.

[John_Kunkel]

I'm not wrong.

Ego-trippers are never wrong...in their own mind. 

[Kern Dog]

Maybe some of the members here drank the water at Camp Leguene?
Remember those TV ads? A short time ago, they B-O-M-B-E-D the TV with ads for lawyers looking to cash in on whatever happened there.
It is good to see the traffic here pick up a bit.

[John_Kunkel]

Maybe some of the members here drank the water at Camp Leguene?

While some others drank "The Kool-Aid".

"Drinking the Kool-Aid" refers to blindly following a dangerous or misguided ideology, often due to strong persuasion from others. The phrase originated from the tragic events in Jonestown, where followers of Jim Jones consumed a poisoned drink, mistakenly believed to be Kool-Aid, leading to mass suicide.

[Kern Dog]

Still doing the same old thing, huh? Nothing positive to add?

[John_Kunkel]

Still doing the same old thing, huh? Nothing positive to add?

Just replying to a snide comment with another snide comment. Tit-for-tat. 

[Kern Dog]

Well, I did wonder what happened to the traffic around here. I'd prefer to see other members try to post helpful and entertaining things rather than follow others around just to critique their efforts.
Car projects, anyone?
New products that worked out well for you?
Are you anticipating Spring time?

[John_Kunkel]

Well, I did wonder what happened to the traffic around here. I'd prefer to see other members try to post helpful and entertaining things

You mean like the OP in this thread? Not very helpful and only entertaining to the OP's ego.

rather than follow others around just to critique their efforts.

[Kern Dog]

How about you two share with us all the details of your last engine rebuild, paint job, suspension upgrade or anything?
Nothing to add but negativity for another person?
Surely you two are still capable of spinning wrenches and diagnosing problems, right?

[John_Kunkel]

How about you two share with us all the details of your last engine rebuild, paint job, suspension upgrade or anything?

Unlike some, I don't feel the need to document all that stuff that I've been doing since I was a teenager, stuff that I consider routine. Same reason I don't go on Facebook and show pics of what I had for lunch...I'm not driven by my ego.

I've already shown some of the out-of-the-ordinary projects that I've been involved in, not as a "look at me" but as a retort to those who claim they "do it all".

[Kern Dog]

That can also be interpreted as "I have done nothing lately" or even "I don't care to share anything that might help or inspire anyone else because I don't care about anybody else".
I get people coming up to me at car shows telling me that they liked what I posted or that I inspired them to take on a project that they were hesitating to attempt.
Why?
Because like them, I am just an enthusiast that loves these cars and I want to see others have as much fun as I do.
I also stroll up to people that inspired me and thank them for their efforts. Sometimes it takes seeing others doing things to get the ball rolling. If more guys were like you, John, there would be far less activity in this hobby. Parts manufacturers would scale back development of new parts because there would be fewer buyers and the hobby would go the way of electric vehicles....

[John_Kunkel]

That can also be interpreted as "I have done nothing lately" or even "I don't care to share anything that might help or inspire anyone else

You claim it's to help and inspire. Color me skeptical...more like "hey, look at me".  It's all about motive, altruism vs. ego.

Why?
Because like them, I am just an enthusiast that loves these cars and I want to see others have as much fun as I do.

Again, color me skeptical. I also don't believe that people on Facebook post pics of their breakfast to inspire sales of bacon...it's all about "hey, look at me"...aka ego.

[timmycharger]

That is your take, John? people showing their projects and how they repaired something on their Charger is like Facebook showing people what they ate? Ridiculous. We get it, you don't like the OP, great, good for you.

This site (more before than now) helped me so much by members posting pictures of their cars and what they did. I would not have attempted my restoration without the help I got here. Most of the help I got was from people posting about what they did and how they did it.

I really don't believe that YOU believe what you are writing, you are just trying to troll the OP, so obvious. He will post that something is white and you will come back saying its black. Routine is getting old.

I hope more members post what they are working on to help the next generation of Charger owners understand how to fix these beasts.

[Kern Dog]

If I just wanted to brag, I'd do so on the social media platforms but....
I am not on ANY of them, None,
Why?
Because what I like is the camaraderie of car guys, dudes that share the same passion for these cars that I do.
At FBBO, a fellow member posted about the Tremec 5 speed manual swap he did in his 66 Coronet about 5 years ago. He was a regular guy like me, not a pro mechanic, just a car guy. I liked what I read from him so I took the plunge myself and am glad that I did.
Knowing that I was responsible for inspiring someone else is a nice feeling too, even if I never meet them or know that they read something of mine and moved ahead with a project. I often post about projects that I have not seen covered as a way to make a record of it for myself and others to use as a reference in the future. I post even some of the stupid mistakes that I have made in the hopes that others can see what can happen if you're not careful. I don't shine and polish the rhetoric in these threads, I show the warts and all. If I were looking for adoration and fanfare, I would never mention any mistake that I had done.
Again, try being positive and inspire others to spin wrenches and get their cars going. We aren't able to do this forever.

[Charger-Bodie]

one of the purposes of this forum is to be able tojournal the build of your Charger.

[Kern Dog]

Thank you.